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CPGH to acknowledge National Hospital Week

Posted: Monday, May 12, 2003

By BONNIE NICHOLSFor the Peninsula Clarion

This week (May 11-17) is National Hospital Week a time to celebrate the power of caring and recognize the work of the professionals who make it possible. A hospital is a place where knowledgeable people and powerful equipment converge in an environment of service to the community. A hospital harnesses the power of partnerships with health-care vendors, students, chaplains, volunteers and other many other agencies to enhance and complement care for the patient.

In our nation's health-care facilities, there is a commendable focus on quality of care. Each year, we reach for a higher rung on the ladder of quality, and with dedication and hard work, we achieve it. As a country, we take pride in not only having the finest health care system in the world, but in having leaders and professionals who never stop striving to make it better.

Just as we depend on medicine and technology in caring for people, we rely on people with training and knowledge to effectively use these tools to provide quality patient care. We are here 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering those skills and technology to those in need. National Hospital Week celebrates and pays tribute to this invisible-yet-ever-present force with the theme "Bringing the Power of Care to the Community."

This year during National Hospital Week, we have several special events planned for the community that we invite the public to attend:

Jo Elsbury, a University of Washington Medical Center medical student, will speak at noon Tuesday in the Iliamna room at the hospital. Her topic is "Adult Screening Tests: The What, When and Why of Secondary Prevention"

Keri Stout, the Lifeline Coordinator for our service area, will speak at noon Wednesday in the hospital cafeteria. The Lifeline Program is a 24-hour in-home alert system that keeps at-risk residents in touch with emergency medical personnel.

Drs. Ledda and Mickelson, both Central Peninsula General Hospital emergency physicians, will speak at 5:30 p.m. Thursday during the monthly "Dine and Discuss" program at Paradisos, providing information on wilderness first aid. R.S.V.P. to 262-8129 to make reservations.

With Memorial Day weekend rapidly approaching, and summer activities on everyone's mind, remember to put safety first. When heading out on the road and waterways, buckle up, wear your life jackets, don't drink and drive, and protect your eyes with safety sunglasses when fishing.

Remember to take extra precautions when you have children involved.

The staff and leadership of Central Peninsula General Hospital wish you a safe and fun-filled summer!

Bonnie J. Nichols is the director of marketing and public relations for Central Peninsula General Hospital. She has lived in Soldotna for the past 28 years and has worked in health care for more than 14 years.